Music - Voice

Program Codes: BAMUSICV
Bachelor of Arts

Introduction
The D’Angelo Department of Music is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). The Department is dedicated to assisting young musicians realize their potential as performing artists, educational leaders, and music therapists. With its distinguished faculty, the Department fosters musical achievement and cultural growth through its rigorous curriculum; its membership in the National Association for Music Education; its Faculty Recital Series; its numerous ensembles, productions, and solo performance opportunities; and by presenting special master classes and guest artists through its Roche Guest Artist Series. The D’Angelo Music Building is located on the south end of the campus. The three-level facility and was opened in September of 1988. In 1996, the university opened the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center. This state-of-the-art facility adjacent to the music building showcases many of the performances and productions of the D’Angelo Department of Music. The Department also utilizes the Walker Recital Hall in the Audrey Hirt Academic Center. This 240-seat hall serves as an additional concert and rehearsal space.

Mission Statement
The D’Angelo Department of Music strives to provide an undergraduate curriculum with comprehensive instruction to students seeking degrees in Performance, Music Education, Composition, Music Therapy, or a Bachelor of Arts in Music. We are committed to encouraging non-music majors to enroll in our department ensembles and courses. Successful completion of degree programs will enable our music students to take a meaningful place within their communities. It is our goal to assist our students to become well-rounded, healthy individuals and life-long learners in the arts. The Department seeks to do this within the context of a liberal arts university and with a deeply personalized approach to learning.

Vision of the Department
The D’Angelo Department of Music strives to be a nationally competitive and well-respected institution of learning. We seek to have a diverse student body that is intellectually curious, and motivated to learn in our rigorous, high quality curriculum. With a faculty of visionary educators, scholars, and musicians, we believe our students will be challenged to achieve these high scholastic and artistic goals. Faculty and students work together in an atmosphere of professional awareness, mutual support, and outreach. As a result, our graduates will be versatile musicians, prepared to pursue successful, fulfilling careers of their choosing.

Music Minor - 19 Credits Required
The D’Angelo Department of Music welcomes any student to audition as a Music Minor (see Audition Requirements below). You will take 30-minute weekly private lessons on your instrument/voice; study Music Theory, Aural Skills, and Music History; and participate in one of our large ensembles. Scholarships are also available to Minors (see Scholarships and Financial Information below).

  • Large Ensemble 4 Semesters (1 credit each semester)
  • Lessons on Instrument, Voice or Composition 4 Semesters (1 credit each semester)
  • MUS 101/102 Theory I and II 2 Semesters (3 credits each semester)
  • MUS 109/113 Theory and Aural Lab I and II 2 Semesters (0 credits each semester)
  • MUS 111/112 Aural Skills I and II 2 Semesters (1 credit each semester)

One Music History course (3 cr) chosen from the following:

  • MUS 104 Music History I - Offered Fall only
  • MUS 105 Music History II - Offered Spring only
  • MUS 114 Music & Media - Offered Fall & Spring
  • MUS 206 Orchestral/Chamber Music Lit - Offered Spring alternating years
  • MUS 207 World Music/Jazz History - Offered Fall only

Applied Music Lesson Fee
This lesson fee applies only to certain types of students: 1) Non-music majors who wish to enroll in private lessons taught by department faculty, 2) Music Minors who desire to take private lessons beyond the required two years, 3) Current music majors who register for lessons in a secondary area that is not part of the specific degree program.

Description of Degree Programs
The D’Angelo Department of Music enrolls undergraduate students in the following degree programs: Bachelor of Music in Performance, Bachelor of Music in Music Education, Bachelor of Music in Composition, Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy, and Bachelor of Arts in Music. Applied study is offered in the following areas: Brass (Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, Euphoneum, French Horn), Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello, String Bass), Woodwinds (Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone), Composition, Guitar, Percussion, Piano, and Voice. A minor in music is also available to students from other disciplines (see Music Minor above). Each of these programs has a minimum GPA requirement.

Scholarships and Financial Information

Majors
Talent-based scholarships are awarded through the audition process at the discretion of the faculty and the Chair of the Department of Music. Any prospective student is eligible to compete for scholarship assistance, regardless of financial status. Students wishing to apply for financial assistance must also apply to the Student Finanical Services ofice. Students who do not meet required academic and performance levels during their time at Mercyhurst may have their scholarship reduced or eliminated.

Minors
Non-music majors are accepted as music minors through the same audition process described above and are awarded a scholarship for their participation in the music department’s large ensembles: Concert Choir, Civic Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, or Jazz Ensemble. Minors are also welcome to participate in the department's small ensembles at the discretion of the ensemble's director. Small ensembles are: Clarinet Choir, Saxophone Ensemble, Flute Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Piano Ensemble, Chamber Choir, String Chamber Ensemble, and Opera Workshop.

Non-Music Majors
Students at Mercyhurst University who wish to participate in the large and small ensembles are invited to do so at the discretion of the ensemble conductor. A limited number of scholarships are available through an audition process early in the Fall Semester.

Sophomore Review
At the end of the Sophomore year, a formal review is made by the entire full-time music faculty to evaluate whether the student will be retained in the program. Based on grades, progress on the major instrument/voice, juries, and other criteria established by the faculty, the Sophomore Review must be passed successfully for the student to continue working toward a music degree.

Graduation Recitals

  • Candidates for the Bachelor of Music degree in Performance must perform a half recital during the Junior year and a full recital during the Senior year.
  • Candidates for the Bachelor of Music in Composition must present a half recital during the Junior year and a full recital during the Senior year. Both of these recitals must consist of original compositions.
  • Candidates for the Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree must perform a half recital during the Senior year.
  • Candidates for the Bachelor of Music degree in Music Therapy must perform a half recital in the Senior year.
  • Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Music must perform a half recital in the Senior year.

Student Best Practices and Procedures
A student guide outlining all policies of the D’Angelo Department of Music is provided to all music students. It is the responsibility of the student to adhere to guidelines and policies set forth in the document.

Program Outcomes:
  • Students will possess an appropriate understanding of music theory and the skills to properly read and compose music.
  • Students will be able to identify significant events, innovations, and composers in the history of music and identify pieces within each major historical period.
  • Students will exhibit a proficient level of piano performance.
  • Students will attain an acceptable level of performance proficiency on their respective major instrument.
  • Students will obtain an appreciation for and necessary skills to properly evaluate the musical performances of others.
  • Students will grow musically and socially by participating in musical ensembles.

Bachelor of Arts in Music

This program offers students the opportunity for concentrated private study in a specific performance discipline, while giving flexibility to pursue outside areas, very often resulting in a minor and sometimes a double major. The degree provides a solid grounding for later graduate study in performance, historical and theoretical areas of music, and the broader humanities, as well.

Total Credits Required to Graduate in the Major Music - 121 Credits

REACH Curriculum
Music Core Curriculum
Additional Courses

Music Core Curriculum

47 Credits Required for BA Music, BM Music Therapy, BM Music Education
55 Credits Required for BM Performance and BM Composition

Additional Courses

Required for BA in Music

Degrees & Certificates
Course Descriptions